Prof. ST Hsieh
Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum
626-376-7460
News headlines can effectively modify the context of any statement, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Unfortunately, most of the readers formulate their opinions based on what is in front of their eyes.
Blinken’s full statement is as follows: “But it does require China to make clear its own intentions in doing that.” The three missed words “in doing that” in the headline changed Blinken’s position badly. Sample viewers’ comments as attached showed these readers are impressed by the idea that Blinken admitted that he does not at all understand China’s intention completely. Readers’ impression is then that Blinken is not qualified as a US top diplomat and that is unfortunate.
However, if Blinken has any question about China, the first person should advise him is President Biden: Biden knows President Xi the best or much better than any non-Chinese politicians. Then Blinken should consult CIA director because CIA is the most efficient secret agency in the world and monitors everyone. We also have an Ambassador, Nicholas Burns, in Beijing, he should know what China is up to.
Further, the US-China relation under Biden Administration is risky and not sustainable. Blinken, as the US Secretary of State, bears at least 50% of the responsibilities, especially when he cannot visit China.
U.S.’s Blinken says Beijing needs to make its intentions clear
Tue, April 18, 2023 at 1:36 AM PDT
KARUIZAWA, Japan (Reuters) – The United States is able to move forward with its relationship with China following President Joe Biden’s meeting with leader Xi Jinping last year, but that requires Beijing to make clear its own intentions, Washington’s top diplomat said on Tuesday.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the comment at a news conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) meeting of rich democracies in Japan’s town of Karuizawa.
Biden met Xi in Indonesia in November for a three-hour meeting aimed at preventing strained ties between the two nations from spilling into a new Cold War.
China’s foreign ministry urged the U.S. to stop claiming to put “guardrails” on both countries’ relations.
“The United States has formulated and implemented incorrect policies towards China based on its incorrect understanding of China,” ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing, blaming this for the current tense state of ties.
Readers’ Comment
Am I missing something? China wants to take back Taiwan from day one, they never change their intention since they joined the UN, why is Blinken still not knowing their intention,
I think they’ve been VERY clear…. You’re just NOT paying attention. They’re done with the games. Making moves on the world stage getting players to begin trading without the dollar as the standard, massive military drills off of Taiwan, etc, etc… Meanwhile, we’re still trying to figure out what a man and woman are.
Agree or not on its intention, China is very consistent and crystal clear: Taiwan issue is the redline among all redlines; China wants a world order that is based on international laws and UN charters, rather than by US-led Western dominance.
Blinken appears to be soft and weak. The cadence of his phrases, with that abrupt stopping at the end of words is distracting and artificial. I assume our foreign counter parts think the same way. He fakes being firm and tough, and it shows.
I don’t think China feels obligated to do what Blinken thinks or calls for.
Context
QUESTION:
And secondly, just on China. It’s been weeks since Biden said he would try and speak with Xi, and there’s still no clear plan for your own previously postponed trip to Beijing. Given your own G7 counterparts are visiting China and urging engagement, do you think it’s time the U.S. started more substantive, meaningful engagement with senior Chinese officials or do you think Beijing’s unwillingness to engage is holding that back?
Thanks.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. A few things. First, just speaking to the G7 itself and what I heard here and what we’ve been discussing over the last few days, what I – what I heard, again, is remarkable convergence on concerns related to the PRC and on what we’re doing to address those concerns. And I think some of you heard my counterparts speaking to that directly, and I’d also invite you to read the joint statement that we put out that reflects very well the shared approach that we have to China – both the challenges it poses as well as the need for engagement that we all see and share.
But in general, over the past two years what I’ve seen not just in Europe but also in Asia is much greater convergence on the approach to take to China, which for all of our countries is among the most consequential as well as complicated relationships that we have. We believe – the United States – that having lines of communication, being able to engage across the broad range of issues that animate the relationship, is important. And we also believe that countries around the world expect us to manage the relationship with China responsibly, and that starts with engagement, with having lines of communication. That’s exactly what President Biden sought to reinforce in Bali when he met with President Xi, and my expectation would be that we will be able to move forward on that. But it does require China to make clear its own intentions in doing that. We’ll look to see if they do so, but if they do so my expectation would be that we will find ways to engage as the presidents agreed during their Bali meeting.